Top CENTCOM general visits ARCENT Soldiers

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jonathan Fernandez | General Joseph Votel, the commanding general of U.S. Central Command, coins a Soldier during his visit to Camp Buehring, Kuwait, August 20. Votel highlighted the importance of USARCENT’s deployed personnel throughout his visit and recognized several outstanding Soldiers. (Photo by Sgt. Jonathan Fernandez/Released)  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

08.20.2016

Story by Sgt. Jonathan Fernandez 

U.S. Army Central   

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – Gen. Joseph Votel, the commanding general of U.S. Central Command, visited Soldiers at Camps Arifjan and Buehring, in Kuwait, August 20.
Votel ate and talked with various levels of leadership from Pfc. Codi Smiley, a culinary specialist with 2nd Squadron, 13th Cavalry Regiment, to Maj. Gen. William Hickman, the deputy commanding general-operations of U.S. Army Central.
After meeting with senior leadership, Votel spent time with the younger Soldiers during lunch.
“I reminded them while we were at lunch that the real secret weapon of USARCENT and CENTCOM is our people and the great young officers and noncommissioned officers I had a chance to talk with,” Votel said.
Votel spoke with senior leaders from the brigade combat team deployed to Kuwait throughout his visit. Col. Robert E. Lee Magee, the commander of 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, said he was proud of being part of the visit.
“From General Votel’s perspective, he really wanted to see the capabilities of this armored brigade combat team,” Magee said. “I think he walked away with a real solid appreciation of what we do for CENTCOM; what we do for ARCENT; and what we do for the nation as a whole. I’m really proud of it.”
Votel recognized many Soldiers throughout his various stops with the CENTCOM coin of excellence. The Soldiers were each selected by their leadership for their outstanding performance.
Smiley, a native of Moorpark, California, said she never expected to eat with a four-star general let alone be recognized by one.
“I knew I was having lunch with him, but I didn’t know about the coin,” Smiley said, smiling. “It was shocking. I never realized I was getting recognized for something I did.”
Smiley learned various jobs while preparing for her deployment.
“I’m a 92 Golf, a cook,” she said. “But I trained and learned the job of a [motor transport operator] and a fueler. Then, I learned supply and was able to gain access [to the supply system to place orders] in about a day.”
Votel highlighted the importance of the Soldiers, the people, throughout his visit.
“They’re contributing in a variety of ways,” he said. “Just by being here in this forward station, they’re reassuring our partners in the region of our national commitment to the important interests that we have here.”

• Date Taken: 08.20.2016
• Date Posted: 08.22.2016 13:53
• Story ID: 207866
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW
• Hometown: MOORPARK, CA, US